I continue my report of our visit to The Old Russian monastery, Paleo Roussiko Monastiro, by showing pictures of the church, dedicated to the Mother of God “Potsajevskija” (of Potsjajev).
The north side is under, south above in this plan. The bell tower near E is not round but is a hexagon.
(A) The main church – south, as seen from the road that leads to Karyes.
Building of the church in traditional Russian style started 1880 and finished three years later.
The main church – south
The round stairs and entrance hidden by trees (E)
Entrance and bell tower: notice the icon of Panteleimon (?) above the door (E)
Two Corinthian columns and the round stairs (E)
The North facade of the church with the typical “Russian” round roof and high windows. Notice the stairs at the right and the wooden structure.
The wooden structure
Inside this structure you will find this steel door: the door must have given Fathers the opportunity to leave the church discretely. If you have a closer look inside the wooden building you understand why.
Inside the wooden structure: a toilet!
Wim, 18/1
Athos - Agios Oros 
You mentioned that there was one monk there. Is this still considered an ‘active’ monastery? Is it officially under one of the other monasteries of the Holy Mountain? Is this what I have often heard of as Old Russikon? Is there a newer Russikon?
According to our observations only one lonely monk lived in the Old Russikon. It belongs to the monastery Panteleimonos (the “New Russikon”), only 1 hour walk along the coast. All icons of the Old Russikon are in Panteleimonos and is not “active” any more.
Wim
Thanks. I love that there is such a ‘western’ looking monastery on the Holy Mountain – even if it is inactive.
@Orrologion: did you know that in fact there has been a western (benedictine) monastery on the holy mountain?
It was called “Amalfion” and its hegoumen ranked 5th (at some moment even 2nd) among the others. It was still active in 1198, but by 1287 is was so destroyed that its holdings were deeded to Megisti Lavra.
The abbey tower is still standing between Karakallou and Megisti Lavra (see http://athos.web-log.nl/athos_agios_oros_/2007/12/2279_amalfi_aga.html )
athos was open to ‘western’ monks before the schisma. this is proofed by the friendship of the founder of the lavra, athanasios, and latin monks from amalfi in the bay of morfonu. the tower is the rest of this great history and also the leftover of a ‘roman’ monastery. after the schisma monks had to leave the mountain.
the tower also called the ‘pyrgos ton amalfiton’is a fine masterpiece of an occident fortress. on the top of the tower you see the white eagle emblem of the
amalfiter.
The Great Schism wasn’t concluded in one day. Officially communion was broken in 1054, but not many people considered it to be final back then. Tensions had been growing from 800 on. It is only after the 4th Crusade that it became clear that the Patriarchate of Rome had split ways from the other ones. Even then, some “Latin Christians” were still loyal to the Orthodox Church, instead of Rome. The monks of Amalfion belonged to the former group.
A good study about Amalfion (which became (A)Molfinou, now Morfonou) can be found @ http://www.allmercifulsavior.com/Liturgy/Amalfion%20Oct%202002.pdf